PARMOD Vs. JAGBIR SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE question, which has arisen in the present application filed by way of objection against the order/reward of the Lok Adalat constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 is as to whether an objection petition against the order of Lok Adalat is entertainable by this Court by invoking the power under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(2.) THE Lok Adalats are constituted in pursuant to the provisions contained under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). The Constitution, Scope and Jurisdiction of the Lok Adalat has been prescribed under Sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Act. It shall be apposite to notice the aforesaid provisions of the Act which reads as under":-

(3.) SOMEWHAT similar questions had arisen before a Division Bench of this Court and it has been held in Re : Sham Lal Sharma v. State of Haryana and others, 2002(2) RCR(Civil) 96 (P&H) (DB) : (2002-1) 130 P.L.R. 188 that the 'Lok Adalat' cannot assume the role of the regular Court and decide cases de hors 'Compromise or Settlement'. Thus the power and the jurisdiction has not been conferred upon the Lok Adalat to decide the cases on merits but only the 'Compromise or settlement' can be recorded keeping in mind the principles of justice, equity, fair play and other legal principles.